High lift doors - need input

[Skeetobite]

Hi guys, I could use some sage advice on cost for high lifting my doors. My post pertains only to the materials and labor to move the doors to the ceiling and install new hardware. This is the first step in finally beginning my garage overhaul projects.

I have 6 attached garages (3 east side - 3 west side) with 14' ceilings. The doors currently have typical chain drive openers, which lays the door flat and stops at the bottom of the header for the 8'X9' door opening.

I want to lift the doors into a pocket at the ceiling. The doors will enter the pocket in the vertical, the panel lay-over will occur in the pocket as well. This project is to give 1)room for a future lift in any stall 2)aesthetics 3)improved lighting 4)the next guy will love it

My specs are for LiftMaster 8500 Jackshaft openers (sensors, locks, controls, etc.), Replace 48 nylon hinges with steel, new weather strip on all, upgraded spring strength and cylinder size, upgrade from 10,000 cycle to 50,000 cycle springs, extend tracks on all, new cable on all.

Essentially, the only thing I am keeping is the existing door panels. The first bid came in from a guy I have used before and I have been pleased with his repair work. His bid is $5,740, or about $957 per door for parts and labor.

In your vast experience, does this cost sound about right to you or should I keep looking? I don't want to turn away a good tradesman over a few dollars - or even a few hundred dollars, but I can't tell if I'm getting gouged or if this is reasonable.

Thanks much for your feedback.

Jonathon-

 

[msgross]

I assume that the price didn't include the new opener? If it did then it's not bad...

Do you need to do all 6 doors? My dad had that liftmaster installed and the labor was twice the price of the opener.

 

[Skeetobite]

Hi msgross.

The price includes the openers, all hardware and labor.

I don't "need" to do the project at all. But since I'm doing a major upgrade overall, I see this as an important first step. I just want a super clean finish in the garages when the overhaul is complete.

Thanks for your input.

 

[AndyL]

I'm guessing that's an 8500 opener not 8550... 8550 is a the estate series belt drive with battery backup.

Every labour market is different... But yeah - that price in my neighbourhood would be a touch low, but a large part of that depends on how its sprung - some around here go with a low bid - and fudge the springs so they're 'close' or really low cycle life...

 

[Skeetobite]

Thanks Andy. Yep, I meant 8500.

 

[jstroede]

The 8550 is a belt drive opener. I think you mean the 8500. If that includes the price of the opener, all of the hardware, and installation of all components, I think that is a pretty fair price really for all that.

John

 

[Skeetobite]

Well, I got the 6 doors on the house "high lifted". Shortened the upper track, replaced all hardware, hinges, weather seals, etc. This is the west side. I still need to get some after shots for the east side doors.

Used "The Doors, Inc." Real pleased with these guys. Easy to work with and professional.

The former owner had a high lift in the last stall with a dummy panel. Ditched that and had it done right. Also upgraded to 50k cycle springs for good measure.

 

[muncie21]

At the price you quoted, I think you made out pretty good. I had a 'standard' bay converted to a 'high lift' and paid close to $500 just for parts/labor, minus the opener. Granted I needed a new main spring, as I had internal springs, whereas the high lift required different springs.

I think the more important question is, as the owner of a '6 bay kingdom', why don't we get to see pictures of said kingdom

 

[Skeetobite]

At the price you quoted, I think you made out pretty good. I had a 'standard' bay converted to a 'high lift' and paid close to $500 just for parts/labor, minus the opener. Granted I needed a new main spring, as I had internal springs, whereas the high lift required different springs.

I think the more important question is, as the owner of a '6 bay kingdom', why don't we get to see pictures of said kingdom

Yeah, I felt like I had a fair price after assurances from the forum users here.

It's actually a '12 bay kingdom'. I have more pics and current projects here: West Side Story